School 'devastated' to learn teacher was bomber

A primary school headteacher has spoken of her shock after discovering she used to work with one of the London suicide bombers.

Sarah Balfour, head of Hillside Primary School in the Beeston area of Leeds, said staff and pupils were "devastated" to discover that learning mentor Mohammad Sidique Khan was one of the bombers.

In a brief statement outside the school, she told reporters: "Sidique Khan was a member of staff at Hillside Primary School and he was employed here between March 2001 and December 2004 as a learning mentor.

"He was great with the children and they all loved him. He did so much for them, helping and supporting them and running extra clubs and activities.

"Sidique was a real asset to the school and always showed 100% commitment."

Ms Balfour confirmed that Khan left the school in December last year after three-and-a-half years, although he had been on sick leave since the previous September.